Metal Slug 3

"Mutants and Aliens and Metal Slugs, oh my!"

Metal Slug 1, a revival of a genre in the absence of Contra. Status: Great quarter muncher from an upcoming gaming company.
Metal Slug 2, even better sequel. More characters, more stages, and more weapons. But same ol gameplay, Status: Probably a good game (I’ve never played it) but rarely seen.
Metal Slug X, remake of part two. Different scenarios and placements but still the same ol sequel, still it a game to be played.
And Metal Slug 3, the next (or was the next with the appearance of number 4) in the line of an excellent shoot em series. But after all these years, does the game do the series justice. Please after the reviews that are already posted here, do I really have to answer that question? Well this review is my opinion on MS3, ain’t it? Let’s boogie!

Skinny: You think after two unsuccessful tries at taking over the free countries, Morden would knock it off already. But nooooo, he once again back, bringing his massive army and machines in tow. But this time he is going to supernatural lengths (and I mean supernatural) to bring the world into his grasp. Once again, the PF Squad: Marco and Tarma. And the Sparrows: Eri and Fio, reunited to take on this new threat. And what better way to it then with the title war machine, the Metal Slug!

Play Dials: Three buttons: shoot, jump and throw bombs that work for both regular character and the vehicles you use. Good controls, just a little slow when you jump.

Core: Well if you read my first two reviews on its predecessors; you should know the gist of it by now. Run around shooting things to get to the end or die trying picking up items to help you along the way. MS3 follows the same formula…only with a much ramped up difficultly. Not only are you fighting grunts and machines this time, but mutants, zombies, aliens, man-eating plants and all sorts of f**ked up things that want a piece of you. And trust me they don’t go down easy. But that’s what makes this game fun. The variety in enemies is a fresh change of pace for the series and it all the more challenging. Of course extra gun power isn’t enough to take down everything, so more metal slugs are thrown your way to help you out and they too help keep the up the variety in this already classic game. And let’s not forget the different paths you can take to reach to the end, offering excellent replay value (a gripe I’ve had with the first two games). Be warned this game CANNOT be beaten on one quarter. Most of the bosses are very cheap (the Mayan and the final bosses come to mind) and may discourage a lot of players from reaching the end. Still if you got all you can from those 3-D action games and think you’re the best. Step up to MS3, you’ll change you tone once you’ve test drive this baby.

Eye-candy: By far the best artwork and animation in the series. Those SNK artists spare no expense here, detail is through the roof. Characters and models move very fluidly, you’ll almost swear your playing a cartoon!

Noise: More war themes for ya along with the usual sound effects (explosions, gunfire, he whirl of the machinery, and yes the grunts trademark “girly” screams are back as well. Nothing new but they fit the bill.

Final Call: The best of the MS series. It stays the same while at the same time keeps up the usual formula that made the series popular in the first place. My hats off SNK, you know how to keep this war hero going strong. The game very easy to find these days (almost all my arcades have this one). But if you haven’t tasted this installment. Take heart and a PS2, theres a port out there with you name on it best of luck soldier!

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 09/26/03